Japchae
"Chewy sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with tender beef, spinach, carrots, and mushrooms in a sweet soy-sesame sauce. Costco Korea sells this as a ready-to-eat side — and honestly, this homemade version is better."
Costco Copycat — This is a homemade version of the Costco International Flavors item. See it in store →
The Game Plan
-
Cook dangmyeon noodles according to package directions (usually 6-7 minutes in boiling water). Drain, rinse with cold water, and snip a few times with scissors so they're not one giant tangle. Toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil.
-
**Sauce:** Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and black pepper. Set aside.
-
**Beef:** Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Stir-fry beef slices for 2 minutes until just browned. Remove and set aside.
-
**Vegetables:** In the same pan, stir-fry onion and carrots (julienned into matchsticks) for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook another 2 minutes. Add spinach and green onions, cook just until spinach wilts — about 30 seconds.
-
Add noodles and beef back to the pan. Pour the sauce over everything. Toss with tongs for 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats every strand and the noodles turn glossy.
-
Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold — japchae is one of those rare dishes that's great at any temperature.
